Wondering what the largest/widest tire option is that people have experiment with on these bikes with clearance. Mine is the 2017 frame, unsure how different it may be to older ones in the series.

Also what sort of 700c tire options to look at that provide more knob for trails, gravel, etc.

No, no aspirations that will transform this hybrid into an XC/DH bike, just looking to add more stability /versatility off road to THIS bike. I work with my hands , so uber technical MTB riding is out of the question as i look to limit possibility of injury at my age.

I realize it will sacrifice some speed on pavement, but these days having road bikes, the bike is being use more for shorter mileage adventure riding into local parks/reservations than mega miles or commuting.

What i'm thinking is a quick release seat post clamp, some wider knobbier tires and lower pressure will allow more compliance and spirited riding on irregular terrain.

The stock 38mm tires on my 2018 Roam (the Crosscuts) measure about 37.5mm wide, but the 42mm Continental Speed Rides on another hybrid also measure about 38mm. The Roam has quite a bit of clearance between the seat stays and between the chain stays. It looks to me like a true 45mm tire (one that actually measures 45mm) would fit comfortably. Note that knobbier tread patterns generally stick out further to the sides, so you may have to watch your width with those.

Given that tire size labeling isn't as accurate as it should be, it's hard to give a blanket statement on size. Do you have a specific tire model in mind?

The stock 38mm tires on my 2018 Roam (the Crosscuts) measure about 37.5mm wide, but the 42mm Continental Speed Rides on another hybrid also measure about 38mm. The Roam has quite a bit of clearance between the seat stays and between the chain stays. It looks to me like a true 45mm tire (one that actually measures 45mm) would fit comfortably. Note that knobbier tread patterns generally stick out further to the sides, so you may have to watch your width with those.

Given that tire size labeling isn't as accurate as it should be, it's hard to give a blanket statement on size. Do you have a specific tire model in mind?

It seems many 40C tires actually measure smaller, so ideally it would be great to go up in size to gain footprint.

I'm fairly certain that a 45mm Riddler would fit. I couldn't guarantee it, but I'll measure my (2018) frame tonight and let you know. Have you measured your frame...the width between the chain stays near where the current tire is?

The Smart Sam has tread knobs on the shoulders of the tread...you'd have to be a careful with the width on those.

as you can see there is clearance of around 2.5" minimum coast to coast front and rear. The oem 38c tire measures barely 1.5" on the oem wheel. Feeling pretty confident with a 3/4" margin of error from 1.75" in case of protrusion from the edge knobs. So i'm going to order them up and report back.

as you can see there is clearance of around 2.5" minimum coast to coast front and rear. The oem 38c tire measures barely 1.5" on the oem wheel. Feeling pretty confident with a 3/4" margin of error from 1.75" in case of protrusion from the edge knobs. So i'm going to order them up and report back.

MK79 just posted in another thread that 47-622 smart sams actually measure closer to 43-44mm on 19mm internal width rims. Something to take into account.

My dad sliced one of his WTB Nano 2.1s on a rock and sewed it back up with a boot for use as a spare. As it's just a spare, I tried mounting it on my Roam just to see how it would fit. These tires are marked 52-622 on the sidewall, and they mounted up to about 49.5mm wide and about 48mm tall on my Giant GX28 rims (19mm internal width). This frame has tons of room, and these tires fit beautifully. At this overall diameter, it's a little difficult to get the skewer up passed the derailer and into the frame dropout, while at the same time trying to manage the brake rotor (because the tire is up against the chain stay bridge). But it works. And it looks great on the bike.

My dad sliced one of his WTB Nano 2.1s on a rock and sewed it back up with a boot for use as a spare. As it's just a spare, I tried mounting it on my Roam just to see how it would fit. These tires are marked 52-622 on the sidewall, and they mounted up to about 49.5mm wide and about 48mm tall on my Giant GX28 rims (19mm internal width). This frame has tons of room, and these tires fit beautifully. At this overall diameter, it's a little difficult to get the skewer up passed the derailer and into the frame dropout, while at the same time trying to manage the brake rotor (because the tire is up against the chain stay bridge). But it works. And it looks great on the bike.

They're nice. I haven't ridden them on this bike, but I rode them on my dad's DS (before he sliced this particular one). They're probably more "tready" than I probably want on my bike, and this particular one has a huge thick boot on it, anyway (which means it has a stiff spot in the sidewall, which probably makes it feel like an unbalanced tire at speed). But knowing the Roam will take an actual (vs. nominal) 50mm tire is good information to have.

Again, these Nanos are nominally 2.1" (and ISO is 52mm), but only about 49mm actual. I probably wouldn't go much wider in terms of an actual/as-installed size for fear of a rub or difficulty inserting the wheel into the frame. A 47-622 or 50-622 should be an easy/comfortable fit, with a 29x2.1" and larger getting iffy, and depending on whether that particular tire model tends to run true to size or not. For example, if a particular 29x2.1" is close to 2.2" or 2.3" with tread shoulders/lugs, that particular tire might rub.

Being the polar end in fitment, that is provided they fit, i want to see how i feel about these. ​​​​​​Given the cost, i'm not out much if they don't work out.

A summer with them should give me a good idea if i want to go down to the 40-47c range gravel options. I'm curious about the added air volume and how that may work in concert with the limited travel on this fork when it comes to pushing a bit more on the trails.